Episode 23: Guy Macpherson, PhD. The Trauma Therapist Live!: The Power of Presence.

TheTrauma Therapist Live! podcasts are shorter segments in which I reflect on the themes and topics coming up on the podcast and discuss the nuts and bolts of how these themes pertain to the trauma therapist, what we can learn from them, and how we can apply them in the work we do.

Bio

My name is Guy Macpherson. I am a husband, father, brother, and a psychologist. I specialize in the treatment of trauma and early psychosis. My passion is helping trauma therapists thrive.

I do this by helping trauma clinicians engage more effectively and deeply with their clients by:

• Sharing trauma information and materials
• Building community
• The Trauma Therapist Podcast
• Coaching therapists to (re)discover their own why for this work

For the last six years I have dedicated myself to the study of trauma psychology, trauma therapy, post-traumatic growth, and most recently, the intersection of trauma and psychosis, specifically the signs of early psychosis.

Inspiration

• My inspiration comes from working with the courageous individuals determined to learn and find meaning from the trials they have endured.
• My inspiration comes from personal experience as well: My brother is a Navy SEAL veteran who suffered with PTSD.

Why

• A few years after my brother’s return from Iraq, and inspired by his accomplishments, I went on a two-week survival course with Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) in the middle of Utah. It was the first time I'd ever done anything like this and it required all the courage I had. It was the middle of summer, we were hiking all day, without backpacks and just the clothes we could wear. We had water, but no food for the first four days. On the third day one of our members became ill and wasn't able to walk. Myself and another member carried this young man for the next two days. We helped him up ridges, through canyons, and tried to encourage him with every step.

I share this story because it was at that moment that I knew what I wanted to do with my life:

I want to help individuals who are in dire situations discover their strength and thrive.

My goal with the West Coast Trauma Project is to help other trauma therapists thrive--through providing actionable information, community building, inspiration and support.